Tip of the Day-dossier thought

If you are traveling to a foreign country and are required to bring your dossier, consider not only printing a copy out to hand carry in you carry on luggage, but buy a special flash drive to copy it onto as well. Then you'll have two separate sets in case one gets lost.

need encouragement to find hope for your adotped child?

Great article on encouraging you to get the right help if you are having trouble with or not fully bonding with your adopted child.

Frustrated with your adopted child? Read this.

Tip of the Day-luggage i.d.

Nothing like being in Los Angeles International Airport and hearing your name paged over the sound system. 

Okay-this one is definitely from experience. On your luggage tags (they should be securely attached to the handle) have your last name, first name of traveler and at least the cell phone number of the phone you carry with you. I thought I was oh so smart having my name, address, phone number and email address on the INSIDE of suitcase. I printed the info on and 8.5x11 pieces of paper, secured in page protectors and have them in the front pockets of all my suitcases. Then on the handle ID I have our last name and home phone number.

Well, guess what? The airport ticket agents do not look in your suitcases and I was reprimanded for not having ID on my suitcase. The nice lady did however call our home phone number, heard our outgoing message and did find my name in their database. Although our last name and home phone were printed on the luggage ID, did I mention that part?

Anyway, I didn't get my destination tag on my suitcase and at some point before take off, they pulled it from the luggage beltway to find its owner and destination. Glad I arrived early enough to the airport so I could use that time and get work done...oh wait... I was running through the airport and going through security for a second time instead. All that work getting done? Guess not. So, if you don't want extra hassles when you go to get your child, DO put your full name and cell phone number on your luggage ID's!!

healing hope for an adopted child

"I have never met a child there is no hope for...We can help any child experience dramatic levels of healing. Doesn't happen in a vacuum. We must train families...When a child learns that their voice has power, they do not resort to voilence." Dr.Karyn Purvis

Tip of the Day-space bags

As you discover that your suitcases will be full of who knows what for everyone in your adopted child's home country, consider the use of travel style space bags for your clothes. You just pack (not beyond the line printed on them), and roll them up to remove the air. Voila! You really will have extra space in your suitcase. However, do not push the bags down while holding them perpendicularly (rather at a bit of angle) to the flat surface or you'll close off the air escape valves. Why do my tips seem to have a "do not" clause in them?!

Four Minute video from Empowered to Connect

Often parents who are struggling to connect with their child find it difficult to find any real measure of hope.  In this brief video, Dr. Karyn Purvis talks about the importance for parents to find even a single point of connection as way to start building a bridge so that they can begin to reach their child.

Find hope here.

Tip of the Day-haircuts

You will be looking at pictures of you and your new child's first meeting for the rest of your life, so do not get a haircut the week before the meeting!